The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Home bread proofer

sindlero's picture
sindlero

Home bread proofer

I'm looking for recommendations for home bread proofers. Also has anyone used an instant pot to proof dough?

Thanks for considering.

 

Yippee's picture
Yippee

but not the instant pot.  However, the Instant Pot's yogurt feature is perfect for making my sourdough starters.

Yippee 

clevins's picture
clevins

Works very well. It is supposed to double as a slow cooker but I've not used it for that. 

https://brodandtaylor.com/collections/all/products/folding-proofer-slow-cooker 

What I like about it for proofing is that it's big enough for most dough loads and pretty accurate temperature-wise.

sindlero's picture
sindlero

Hi

Thanks much for the reply and information. This jives with the reviews I have read.

Owen

 

rondayvous's picture
rondayvous

I have the B&T proofing box and Instant Pot. My Samsung oven has a proofing feature, and I recently purchased an Anova Precision Oven.

Of the four, my favorite for proofing ( and making yogurt and rye sours) is the Anova, which is also a steam oven for baking bread and Sous Vide cooking.

sindlero's picture
sindlero

Hi

  • Thanks for your reply and the info you sent me. If I had more room, I'd get the ANOVA.
  • Owen
jo_en's picture
jo_en

I use a plain tub yogurt maker with an ink bird temp controller. Put the probe in a simple sandwich bag or wrap it in plastic wrap and insert it into the dough. 26-28 C?

sindlero's picture
sindlero

Hi Joe.

That's an innovative system you have come up with. And not expensive. Thanks for the idea.

Owen

jo_en's picture
jo_en

Lots of bakers use a variation of this system at thefreshloaf!

Inkbird (temp controller) is about $35. I should have bought the model specifically for food so that is why I wrap the probe (of  my model) so that it is not in direct contact with food.

I had the yogurt tub maker from 25 years ago. I can put in about 750gr (425gr whole what at 80% hydration) -900gr

of dough and let it rise to double (put plastic wrap at the tub rim to catch any overflow if your dough fills over halfway when starting). The maker has a dome top so there is room for dough expansion.

Note, often, you may not want to  let a dough double.

alcophile's picture
alcophile

I use a slight variation of the Inkbird method. I place a 40 W incandescent bulb in a small toaster oven and control the temperature with the Inkbird in close proximity to the dough container. I can't get much above 30 °C, but I probably could in a small cooler with a higher wattage bulb.

clevins's picture
clevins

One nice thing about the B&T proofer is that it can be folded up and stowed away. It's not worth it for someone who occasionally bakes but my house is very cool (60-65F) from late fall to late spring and I bake weekly, so the rather high cost worked for me. 

rondayvous's picture
rondayvous

I've used the B&T for proofing chocolate, bread, making yogurt and, fermenting veggies etc...

The main issue I have is that is heats from the bottom and is not insulated - at all, so you get a bit more heat on the bottom which results in yogurt that is more done on the bottom of a jar than on the top. Same issue with the instant pot, so for Yogurt I use either the dehydrator feature of my Samsung oven which can be set to 105 degrees or the Aveno. That said, I used it for yogurt happily for several years before switching.

sindlero's picture
sindlero

I want to thank everyone who responded to my ask for help with the bread proofer. Much appreciated.

I'll let you know what I decide.

Owen